Creation Myths
Creation myths can influence how the history of the world or society is viewed by the type of story the creation myth has originated from, based on how the society is living. The purpose or function of creation myths for society and individuals is to reassure us, humans, that we are not alone, that we were created to have some purpose, that there was a reason we are alive here today. Creation myths exist because every culture has one, and every culture believes in some way that human beings were created for a specific reason or grand purpose.
Amongst some similarities in these creation myths like the Aboriginal, Judeo-Christian, Greek, Egyptian, Yoruba, Norse, Incan, Navajo, etc. in the beginning, the world is dark, but some deity or animal comes and sets the world with light and color. The deity sets to work and makes the world with animals, man, mountains, rivers, etc. He has children who teach, or He teaches man and woman how to survive. There is a great flood, almost always these giant floods happen, and sets the world anew. ‘‘From the reports of early chroniclers, we know that the ancient people of the Phillippines had a notion of the powerful being (or beings), who was responsible for the creation of the earth and everything on it, the trees, the animals, and man. The name of the creator-god, or gods, varied with the various tribes: Laon or Malaon for the ‘Indios’ or Bisayan: Makapatag again for the Bisayan, etc. The Supreme Being is generally taken to be very good or kindly, very powerful, and dwelling in the sky. To him is invariably credited the work of creation.’’
Creation stories are riveting, thought-provoking, and enjoyable to the reader. When people speak of the ‘world’, is usually understood to mean the earth primarily, or rather, their native earth, or land; the trees, the stones, the springs, the rivers, lakes, mountains, skies, flowers, caves, shadows and so on. There is such a strange connection between cultures that share the notion of creation myths, but it surely inspires people and gives hope.
